Life Proof Boats

Life Proof Boats Expands into Northeast USA

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BREMERTON, WA. (July 21, 2020) – LIFE PROOF BOATS, renowned for their robust ‘virtually un-sinkable’ boats crafted from aluminum deep vee hulls and a patented foam/air collar system is expanding into the Northeast USA through a partnership with LC8 Marine as their first Official Sales and Service Center. Located in Plymouth MA, LC8 Marine has over 20 years of expertise with all-weather best in class boats, with a specialty in performance RIBS, and is perfectly aligned to strengthen the Life Proof Boats brand in New England.

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 “After exhibiting at the Newport International Boat Show last year, the popularity of the Life Proof Boats brand has continued to grow in the Northeast”, says Micah Bowers, CEO Life Proof Boats. “Our strategic partnership with LC8 Marine allows us to better serve current and future boat owners in the region, while providing the unparalleled level of service our owners expect.”

The unique characteristics of Life Proof Boats make them particularly well-suited to the Northeast USA. Purpose-built for performance in rough and unforgiving seas, each boat includes standard options like stabilized buoyancy collar systems, shock mitigation, and self-bailing decks, rendering them virtually un-sinkable and indestructible.

“These boats fill a niche that is currently unmet in New England,” says Scott Dyer, LC8 Marine Owner. “The line of boats from 17-50ft are constructed from commercial-grade premium materials with a full package of amenities to provide some of the world’s safest and stable boats on the water today.”

ABOUT LC8 MARINE

LC8 MARINE provides sales and service support to premium marine brands in the New England area. Specializing in performance RIBS and luxury brands we are committed to providing an exceptional level of service and management. www.lc8marine.com

 

(401) 714-2925

At your service. Call us today.

From our full service capabilities to our ‘white glove’ yacht management option and amphibious technology solutions, LC8 Marine can help every boat owner. We look forward to hearing from you.

New! 31FC132 PRO Full Cabin Hits the Water

31 FULL CABIN - 11’ BEAM

This new 31’ Full Cabin really hits on a lot of high notes for commercial operators no matter what field they serve. With a beam 12” wider than most vessels of its size it provides unmatched room and operational space for its crew. It also provides a safe platform to side tie with larger vessels for transferring crew members. Key design features shown below help achieve this.

With collars that are 24” longer and the engine taft rail installed the engines have a lot of protection when side tying to other boats.


Inside the boat you will find a very accommodating layout that can easily fit 10 adults.

The drivers and navigators seats feature the best from Shockwave Seats. they are bulkhead mounted and have the ability to flip the seat pan down for operations in a standing position or egress through the two large slider cabin doors.

As you transition into the cuddy you will find lots of spaces designed for gear storage, and a very accommodating bathroom location on the Port side of the boat.

The bow of the boat is specifically designed to accommodate passenger transitions onto larger boats. The large handrails were specifically located for personnel to have ample handholds while not blocking the operators eyesight when controlling the vessel. With the 12” larger beam, the gunnel flange depth was increased to allow easier transitions around the cabin of the boat.

Conclusion : This boat was designed to be the ultimate work boat for a variety of applications. Its foam collar offers safety, stability, and a soft side to interact with. The increased beam is immediately apparent with the added deck space, and wider flange for FWD egress around the cabin. Ergonomics and features make this boat perfect addition to any fleet.


Vessel Details:

Model Name——— 31FC132 PRO

Length —————- 31’

Beam —————— 10’

Weight ————— 10,500 lbs

Speed —————- 52+ mph

Engines ———— Twin Suzuki 350 Dual Prop’s

Fuel Capacity —— 200 Gallons

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The GT Coupe is a must see!

GT COUPE

LAUNCH OF GT COUPE SERIES

 

May 2018, brought the completion of LIFE PROOF BOATS first ever GT COUPE.  A sleek stylish 31’ vessel designed to compete heavy in the pleasure craft market. With a 3/4 cabin style (optional canvas bulkhead) the cabin space of the boat is open and inviting. The interior space is smart in its ability to be reconfigured for entertaining under the shade of the roof or open to the outdoors on the rear deck of the boat. Its fundamental features allow this boat to fit a wide range of boating lifestyle choices.

There are 3 optional configurations of the space behind the driver seat which allow the design of the boat to fit a galley, a 3rd suspension seat, or 2 additional bench seats. With the 2 additional bench seats there is room for 8 in the main cabin, and an additional 4 outside on the rear bench seat.

The cuddy interior offers opposing bench’s giving 6’7” of lay down length and with the center drop in filler panels the cuddy space is transformed into a single large berthing space. When nature calls there is also a full electric macerating toilet located on the port side of the cuddy.

Other key features that make this boat stand out, is the optional drop bow door, in deck fish boxes, optional FLIR camera, and designed to incorporate the very best in suspension seating. And for the fisherman out there, two Burnewiin universal accessory mounts are included in the base boat. They work great for grilling out as well since they double as a BBQ mount.

The GT Coupe Model starts at $300,000 and with options like paint, synthetic teak decking, and joystick piloting pricing can reach over $400,000.

 

Vessel Details:

Model Name ------------------- GT COUPE

Length --------------------------- 31’

Beam ---------------------------- 10’

Weight -------------------------- 10,500 lbs

Speed --------------------------- 55+ MPH with twin 350HP Outboards

HP Rating ---------------------- 1,250 HP (twin or triple configuration available)

Fuel Tank ---------------------- 200 Gallons

Water Tank ------------------- 40 Gallons

Black Water ------------------ 40 Gallons

Diesel for Heat -------------- 3 Gallons

 

 

Design Features of Note:

Self-Bailing Decks (even while static)

Optional Diesel Heat

Optional AC (with reduced holding tanks)

Galley Arrangement (sink, fridge, Microwave)

Windlass

Drop Bow Door

Electric Toilet

Large Holding Tanks

Gyro Stabilized Trim Assist System

 

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Micah Bowers – Sales

(360) 674 -7019 ext. 200

Micah@InventechMarine.com

 

Jenson Charnell – Sales

(360) 674 -7019 ext. 201

Jenson@InventechMarine.com

Destinations to Explore - Blind Channel Resort

Two years ago at the Seattle Boat Show we were approached by a wonderful group passing our boats and they stopped to take an in depth look. Getting to know more about where they were from, we came to find out they were from Blind Channel Resort! A beautiful spot north of Desolation Sound, Blind Channel Resort is an oasis for travelers making their way on the inside passage passed Vancouver Island.

Well they purchased a Life Proof Boat and we have had a great relationship ever since! They group of people that are warm and welcome to guests passing by. Make sure plan a trip to explore all it has to offer. There isn’t a better way to do it than with your Life Proof Boat!

Can you spot the Life Proof Boat?

Can you spot the Life Proof Boat?

Here is a brief description of Blind Channel Resort and what services they offer.

“Blind Channel is a multi-generational, family-owned marina and resort on West Thurlow Island in heart of British Columbia’s wild coast. The Richter family has owned and operated Blind Channel Resort since 1970. In the early days, the small government dock and coastal community boasted a cannery, shingle mill, and two large dance halls with the population peaking in the 1940s. By 1969, when Edgar and Annemarie were cruising by, Blind Channel had little left to offer but they were captivated. The for sale sign was taken down and Blind Channel Resort was built from the ground up with love and hard labor.

Today the Richter family invites you to explore tidal waterways and ancient forests rich in wildlife and coastal history. Enjoy fresh coastal and German cuisine, cruise into the full-service marina or stay in a comfortable private cabin. Whether it’s a stop as you cruise North or an all-inclusive package you’ll find yourself enjoying comforts on the wild coast.”

Full-service marina for vessels up to 150 ft with 15, 30 and 50 amp power as well as clear spring water hook-ups at every finger.

  • Fuel dock with Marine Gas, Diesel, and propane

  • Restaurant Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Live music and wine tasting events held throughout the summer

  • General store well stocked with groceries, liquor, gifts, clothing, and more.  As well as a post office.

  • Laundry and Showers

  • In house water taxi service, a float plane dock with regularly scheduled flights

  • Onshore accommodation, fully self-sufficient cabins with two bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens.

  • Hiking trails

  • Tours and all-inclusive packages

See everything they have to offer at www.blindchannel.com/

September 2018 - Shop Talk

40HT132 - Triple/Quad, Available for Pre-Order

40HT132 - Triple/Quad, Available for Pre-Order

September is a memorable time of the year for us. It was 3 years ago that we launched LIFE PROOF BOATS at Seattle’s annual end of season, Boats Afloat Show. On display at that first boat show we showcased 6 very distinct models; including a 20’ Cuddy Cabin, 21’ Runabout, and most notably our 30’ Convertible.

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Here we are 3 years later, with an ever growing brand following and continuing the trend of using this show to spring board some of our latest models out in the open for public consumption.

At this years show we brought over 5 boats for display with a full array of unique features. Our most popular feature being, you guessed it, our drop bow door!

Starting from left to right at this years show you would of seen: a 33’ Full Cabin with a 500HP Cummins Diesel Engine coupled to a Hamilton 292 waterjet, a 23’ 300HP Volvo D4 Sterndrive Hardtop, a 18’ RIB Tender, a 31’ GT Coupe with Mercury’s latest 300HP Verado’s, and a 27’ Full Cabin with a pair of Honda 250 IST engines.

The show was a huge success. We got to meet a lot of great people, both in the industry and potential new clients. From now through the Miami show is really the hottest time for our sales team, with, ironically, the summer months being the slow time of the year. I guess everyone is busy out on the water!

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DELIVERIES

29FT Full Cabin

-Stand Up Head/Shower

-Twin 350HP Outboards with Joystick

31FT GT COUPE

-Twin 300HP Outboards

-In Deck Fish Boxes

-Toilet in Cuddy

21FT Hardtop Pro

-Twin 115HP Outboards

-Drop bow door

18FT RIB (still available for sale)

-90HP Yamaha

TECH TALK
This month we are going to talk about our outboards since they really are the heart of the boat. Outboards are quickly growing to be the choice for the mainstream of boaters under 45FT. With even some of the larger 45-50ft center consoles putting quintuplets on the transom! Now boats are much more unique than cars, one of the main examples of this is just in how diverse the power plant options can be. Even on the same boat model you can have 10 or more available engine configurations. Of those options, they may come from all over the world. Our 31’ length hull models are a perfect example of this. A client can choose to go with a set of 250HP outboards from Japan or a set of 400HP outboards from the US. Of course these will have dramatic impacts on the boats characteristics so we help guide the client to the best fit for their application. And just to make it interesting with the lower weight of Mercury’s new 300R motors, you can now put three of them on the back of most boats originally rated for twin 350’s. The other reason you should look at these new 300’s is because unlike most of the other engine’s in this HP class, they are recommended for 87 octane. In the Pacific Northwest, for example, we are limited to 87 octane due to supply on the water. It’s rare to find a location that supply’s a higher octane on the water unless you pull out your boat and take it to a local gas station.

One of the most asked question we get is what is the best outboard on the market. That’s a great question but it requires a politically correct, complex answer. At Life Proof Boats, we can supply your boat with just about any major OEM brand.

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Strong points for each brand:

Mercury engines in the 250-400HP range are so quiet you can often forget they are even on. They also deliver the power smoothly and offer a wide range of factory options. They do make the boating experience more comfortable, and fun.

Honda engines are known as dependable and affordable. Built on the foundation of the historically dependable car engines, the marine line follows suit with proven dependable engines that also tend to lead the pack with fuel efficiency. They also have not changed much in the last decade so they have a very good database of information on how the engines are performing. It’s exciting to see what’s going to come out next from Honda as they begin development of the larger HP models. Last year a team of six engineers from Japan sat down with us to pick our brains on what design features & characteristics are the most important to us.

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Suzuki’s are also a great option in looking for a dependable, affordable engine. While their market share is not as large as Mercury or Yamaha, clients that have them seem to speak highly of them. I have seen repeat clients, so they are proving to be a great alternative for a lot of people. Unveiled last year, the dual prop outboards from Suzuki are great candidates to heavier boats since the dual prop configuration will allow for less “slip”, and more of that HP being put to use. But with dual propellers the gear case is not as slim as some of the single prop faster lower units.

Last but not forgotten BRP has bucked the trend of the 4 stroke engine and continues to refine the 2 stroke. They have shown it can go toe to toe with the other 4 stroke models. They do have a following of clients who want nothing but Evinrudes on their transoms. One of their latest advancements has been their incredibly affordable outboard joystick system. At a 1/3 or less the cost of the other brands joystick system, the I-Dock system from BRP offers a lot of the same features. Making it incredibly popular with clients.

Whether you burn oil or change it, today’s outboards are all really competitive and similar when it comes to dependability and features. The first step in choosing your engine brand is what does your local service center maintain. With growing part counts and electronic components on these sophisticated engines, buy one that you know can be diagnosed and serviced by your trusted, local service center. And don’t forget to check with your local marinas first to see what octane level you have access to, because your 350 may only be producing 315 due to low octane ratings.

WHATS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW

The weld shop is busy this month as we continue to gear up with personnel and equipment. With the continued growth we decided it was time to purchase a press brake, so we found a 130TN 12’ Accurpress which fit the bill nicely.

Currently in the shop are four full cabins, two 31FT model’s and two 33FT model’s.

In the rigging shop we were busy working on a 40FT Snorkel Boat heading to Maui, a 29FT Full Cabin, an 18FT RIB Tender, and a couple 21-22FT Law Enforcement Boats.

PARTING NOTES

September is always a fun month. With the end of the season brings reflection on the summer, and new ideas as clients think about the possibilities of next summer. We also ran a national campaign with Passengermaker and Power and Motor Yacht magazine. This sparked the new design at the top of this newsletter. Shown here as a 41FT length we also have it drawn as a 35FT length. And we feel we can be competitive in pricing to any of the larger fiberglass T-Tops.

August 2018 - Shop Talk

New 31FT Full Cabin as part of our Yachtline. The aluminum has been ordered and will be complete Q1 of 2019! 

New 31FT Full Cabin as part of our Yachtline. The aluminum has been ordered and will be complete Q1 of 2019! 

August was a hot one! So hot in fact we ordered a pair of the top of the line evaporative coolers to help the crews battle the heat while still keeping pace for busiest month to date. All of us in the Pacific Northwest also faced a continuing summer tread, weeks of forest fire generated smoke filling the air. The smoke not only created a stifling atmosphere but out on the water the visibility was so poor at times that you couldn’t see more than a mile! Challenging the smaller fishing boats on the water. For us, it gave us more of an opportunity to test the new radar units and chart plotters.

One of the great new features we are sharing with our clients are the “auto guidance / routing” features now available in US waterways. Offered by both our OEM brands, Simrad & Garmin, with two simple clicks on the screen, your chartplotter can now provide you with a calculated, safe navigable route. Much like your cars navigation system. For those that also add autopiloting or Mercury’s JPO system, once the route has been generated, you can simply engage your autopilot and away you go. Now I know what you are thinking, while similar to the Tesla auto driving principle, boats do not have the sophisticated sensors to warn you and steer you around obstacles in the water, including other boats! So while it will generate a course, following the waypoints and warn you of AIS collision targets you will still have to be vigilant at the helm. The larger summer tides pull a lot of wood from the beaches, and they often get stuck current rips that form due to our ever changing underwater landscape.

So why use these new features if they still require attention at the helm, well because they can also offer some safety features and they generate important information about your journey. Like your time to arrive, distance to your destination, and thus fuel consumption. As far as safety features, because they are auto-routing, they are generating waypoints that are located away from shallow water or underwater obstacles. When waypoints are manually entered we often enter fewer points because it takes too long. Well the auto-routing generates as many points as it needs to keep your route away from the dangerous underwater features. It will even notify you of hazards you may pass on our journey. Like channel buoys or harbors.

To add auto-routing for either charting brands, all you need is the latest software updates and Platinum charts.

WHATS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW

Boats that moved out of the weld shop this month included: 40FT Dive Boat for Maui, Custom 33FT Full Cabin with flush deck and luxurious amenities, 18FT RIB

While we were continuing to weld on: 31FT Full Cabin & 22FT RIB

At the rigging shop we finished the second 31FT GT Coupe and continued work on a 29FT Full Cabin, 18FT RIB, 21FT Center Console, and the 40FT Dive Boat for Maui.

 

BOAT SHOWS

In August we attended the Maritime Security conference in San Diego. This conference is held twice a year. In the late summer/ fall on the west coast and in the spring on the east coast. We were asked to present at the show on innovative technologies we are working on and what trends we are seeing in the industry.

 

CUSTOMER FOLLOW UPS

With so many clients out on the water this year we had lots of great stories to share. The Falcon Patrol become a fishing catching machine in the Puget sound. This first time boat owner, absolutely loved the control and usability the Mercury JPO system gave him. He can back his boat into his narrow slip with ease!

We also heard from a few boats that headed north seeking adventure. At only a 3.5hr run we had client go from Roache to Cortez Island. He loves the speed at which he can travel comfortably, making day trips out of slower weekend trips in his old boat. In “Flirtn’ with Disaster” a 29FT Hardtop, our client shared from Lund it only took then 1:45 to get all the way up to Chatterbox Falls. Something we could never had done before. Even the recently delivered Side Targa blew the clients away for how comfortable the boat was. They adventured all summer and spent 11 overnight trips up in Desolation Sound.

Our boats are designed for safety, versatility, and adventure. Our clients are out on them and finding out exactly what we talk about. Come see us at the Lake Union Boats - Afloat in September and learn more!